Reservation! In India it is a touchy topic. Many have shed blood and given the ultimate sacrifice to make it a reality. Even today, as the Patel agitation in Gujarat takes centre stage one realises how deep its impact is.
The lawmakers who brought forth this monumental legislation were driven by the disparity in the availability of benefits to the average Indian. Their hearts were probably in the right place. Today, as agitators fill the streets in different states, for reservation, the government needs to revisit the law time and again. The reminder of the onus that this law places on the government and its ability to be objective, is constant but sadly little or no effort is being made to make the law as fair and relevant as possible. Behind this complacency is the very obvious benefit of caste based politics. The need for power far outweighs the desire to govern fairly.
As I sat reading about the present impasse in Gujarat, I was struck by their demand for increased reservation or repealing of the act itself. Unlike, other communities, till date, they are giving the government a choice here. So will the government keel or make the most of this situation? That, of course, remains to be seen.
Reservation is an admission by the government of India that disparity among Indians is so acute that some get access to a lot of benefits while others are deprived of even basic amenities like good education. It is a report card that is all red. Admitting its failure to provide equally for all Indians, the government has offered a stop gap solution. It is offering preferential treatment to certain people, based on their caste at birth. In spirit, it is in favour of the socially deprived. I am also sure that many have benefited from this law. It is also but natural for those adversely affected to cry foul.
The glaring flaws in the law include the fact that it is NOT time bound making the same people eligible for the benefits, indefinitely, even when the inequalities have been levelled. Another more serious concern is the fact that many people, even those eligible for the benefits, do not get it, either because they are ignorant of their rights or because they are too poor to do so. As the law has divided the nation on caste, it is more divisive than inclusive and this is taking a toll on Indian society and our value system.
I know it is a tall order but the law makers of this country need to address the reality of this nation after setting aside their electoral benefits. There are many people in India who are too poor to afford a good quality education and seats may thus be reserved for them, in principle. But this should not be a reason to not focus on improving the quality of education and health care in government run institutions. Moreover, there should be a time limit to such schemes. The law has to become development oriented, so that the persons who actually need it benefit from it.
I am not confident that any government in India, in the near future is likely to even consider such a law. One of many consequences of such apathy is the growth in the importance of case and its role in our daily lives. In a country which had to struggle with untouchability such trends can lead to radical divisions within society. It makes one wonder if we are going forward or backward in our ways.
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